There are indications that the present administration in Nigeria will succeed in improving the generation and distribution of power in the country. This is reinforced by the decision of the government to embrace the promise by Spain that it would expand its investment in Nigeria by taking active part in renewable energy. The assurance was given during the visit to Adebayo Adelabu, minister of power in Abuja by Julian Sell, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria who was accompanied by the Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Spain, Maria Higon Velasco and Head of Cooperation, Santiago Ferera.
Mr. Sell had told the minister, “We are trying to add a more ambitious agenda to our present role in Nigeria. When it comes to Nigeria, we have always worked with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), we have a strong programme with ECOWAS that covers many sectors and one of them is in the area of renewable energy”.
The ambassador said his country was not new to working with countries in the region on renewable energy, adding that as a matter of fact his country has been a major stakeholder.
Hear him: “We consider ourselves the founding fathers of the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency. Through grants from the Spanish government, we have been part of the center’s activities with a number of our programmes.” The success of that involvement in the region, he said, was what his country wants to bring to assist Nigeria. He said, “We also want to be active in the renewable energy projects in Nigeria.”
In this case, Sell said, “We are interested in electrification projects in rural area. Presently, we are working with a private company in Rivers State, it is part of the programme we have with the European Union, and I want to inform you that we are starting another phase of that programme soon. When we are clearer about what the role of the Ministry would be, we will come back to you and your team.”
The minister was happy because the step aligns with his pledge to Nigerians on assumption of office last year. He had said that the ministry would foster robust partnerships between the private and public sectors, working collectively to enhance the nation’s economic and social well-being, as the ministry will diligently provide optimal solutions for Nigeria’s power needs across the nation. Adelabu has not relented on his promises as he advocated for an appropriate and enabling legislation to convince power sector investors of Nigeria Government’s seriousness in its power sector reforms. This is as the Spanish government began the process of seeking more investment opportunities in Nigeria.
So, the minister told his guest that to drive the reforms necessary in the power sector, there must be appropriate legislation adding that the market should also determine the operation of the sector, make appropriate policies to drive investment, sector liquidity and market governance all of which he described as the bane of the sector. While saying that, he emphasised that there must be collaboration between the government and other stakeholders.
The ambassador commended the Minister for the work he has done in the power sector since his assumption of duty adding that in his interactions with Spanish companies, the question about the power sector in Nigeria and how to play more active roles was always coming up.
Speaking further, Sell said Spain has a strong private sector presence in areas of renewable energy in most parts of Africa and would want more Spanish companies’ presence in Nigeria adding that the embassy would soon be organising a programme through its Trade and Economy office in Nigeria for the Spanish companies to know more about Nigeria.
On the Distribution Companies (DISCOs), he said a Spanish company was already working with key DISCOs such as Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) and Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) in resolving challenges in areas of billings and revenue collection.
Adelabu expressed appreciation on the Spanish government’s ambitious agenda in Nigeria adding that his meeting with the Ambassador was to also intimate him with the opportunities in the sector and the government’s commitment towards sectorial reforms, targets and the strategies put in place to achieve the targets.
According to the minister, “These targets are all geared towards enabling Nigerians to live good lives by giving them access to energy. To have impactful and value-adding institutions in health, education and ultimately to grow industries and attract investors.”
He said the over reliance on import by Nigeria is impacting on foreign exchange and the government is putting plans in place to change the situation.
“The pressure is high since we import virtually everything despite our natural endowment in terms of resources.
“The Federal government plans to promote export of value-added products by developing the local manufacturing industries. This plan is also aimed at gaining international acceptance and create employment for Nigerians”, the Minister added.
Adelabu said part of the power sector reforms goal is the expansion of energy access, by bringing in more participants into the energy net, grow industries and institutions through the power sector.
He told the ambassador that the goal of the federal government is not just to provide energy, but also to ensure that the interest of the environment is taken into consideration in the process. He said, “Our energy transition goal is also to collaborate with international collaborators in order to reduce carbon emission in the environment. We plan to achieve net zero emission by year 2060 as our long-term target, the medium targets is to achieve about 30,000mw of power out of which 30 percent would be renewable energy by year 2030”.
Aleem Murtala
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